What Are You Reading? January 2013

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Thu January 10th, 2013, 2:14 pm

Yes that pretty much sums up bilge! Generally used as a term for drivel and that sort of thing.

Glad your friend has finally found success, EC!

sweetpotatoboy · Post by **sweetpotatoboy** » Thu January 10th, 2013, 2:17 pm

Re "bilge", reminds me of a wonderful novel and author: "Bilgewater" by Jane Gardam. Not historical fiction, but Jane Gardam is a wonderful, much-overlooked British novelist.
(FYI - in this book, "Bilgewater" is a girl's nickname, a corruption of "Bill's daughter".)

annis · Post by **annis** » Thu January 10th, 2013, 5:14 pm

I've noticed a clear trend amongst library borrowers which says it all about the Fifty Shades of Gray books - people rush in to order the series, but only ever pick up the first one. The execrable writing is in my opinion much more obscene than the content.

Currently reading Free Lance, a Kiplingesque adventure by George Shipway, set in early 19th century India.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Thu January 10th, 2013, 7:15 pm

[quote=""sweetpotatoboy""]I have to admit I started reading 50 Shades of Grey and think I'm going to bail at about page 90. When I broke my foot a few months ago, a friend dropped me round her copies of all three books (goodness knows why). Anyway, I had a little window, so I thought I'd dip in and see what all the fuss is about. I don't really have the stomach to go much further...[/quote]

I did soldier through them, but I was so curious to see how EL James managed the Pacific Northwest setting. FAIL. One of the funniest was when they helicoptered out of Portland, Oregon and she's mentioning that they are now entering US Airspace. WTF?

I assume everyone knows this was originally fan fiction of the Twilight books? Worse yet, now 50 Shades is spawning fan fiction of its own, many becoming popular and attracting the attention of the publishers. All edited by said publisher before they slap them on the shelves.

Nefret · Post by **Nefret** » Thu January 10th, 2013, 8:29 pm

I already read most of Anne Rice's Exit to Eden. That's enough of the genre for me.

And, the Twilight books... does it really say West coast of Brazil in one of them?

sweetpotatoboy · Post by **sweetpotatoboy** » Thu January 10th, 2013, 9:53 pm

Just started Madame Serpent by Jean Plaidy. Last read about 30 years ago.

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Thu January 10th, 2013, 10:37 pm

[quote=""sweetpotatoboy""]Re "bilge", reminds me of a wonderful novel and author: "Bilgewater" by Jane Gardam. Not historical fiction, but Jane Gardam is a wonderful, much-overlooked British novelist.
(FYI - in this book, "Bilgewater" is a girl's nickname, a corruption of "Bill's daughter".)[/quote]

Oh yes, I LOVE Jane Gardam's writing. I've read many of her novels and enjoyed them all. My most favourite story is actually a long short story or short novella in her short story collection Missing The Midnight. It's called The Green Man and is about the mythological character through the seasons. Edited to say I haven't read Bilgewater, I must do so!

Lady of Bennachie - I've always known the word 'bilge'

The reference as an insult is definitely to the stagnant water that collects there and is known by that term!

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Thu January 10th, 2013, 11:36 pm

The Beggar King by Oliver Pötzsch...thought I'd finish up the books in this series that are translated from German and published.

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » Fri January 11th, 2013, 9:31 am

[quote=""EC2""]
Lady of Bennachie - I've always known the word 'bilge'

The reference as an insult is definitely to the stagnant water that collects there and is known by that term![/quote]

It's a brilliant word! I wonder why I hadn't come across it before - could just be a regional thing, with us preferring different words up here. I do work next to a major harbour though, so maybe I just missed it. But I will certainly use it now!

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » Fri January 11th, 2013, 9:41 am

Last night I finished Elizabeth I by Margaret George - it was a bit of a slog in places but I do really like Elizabeth I and so found it enjoyable.

Now I'm following on chronologically with The King's Daughter by Christie Dickason. The reviews are mixed and I'm not anticipating it to be as good as Elizabeth I, but I don't know much about Elizabeth Stuart so hopefully that will work in my favour.